Local NAHJ Ñ Award Finalist

July 13, 2017

Among the list of NAHJ Ñ Award finalists is Sebastian Hidalgo a freelancer for the The Chicago Reporter. Born and raised in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Hidalgo is a visual journalist and photographer. You can also find his work in the Austin Weekly News and the Wednesday Journal.

Hidalgo, 22, is nominated for his piece on Chicago’s Gun Violence under the “Latino Issues- Student Broadcast Journalism” category. It was the day hundreds of people marched through Chicago’s downtown carrying over 760 crosses to represent the number of people killed by gun violence in the city in 2016.

“Every time I looked into my viewfinder to take a photograph, I was overwhelmed with emotions projected by each person. I wanted the people that weren’t there that day, or who don’t deal with gun violence on a daily, to feel the way these families do,” says Hidalgo.

Vigil March for Gun Violence Victims in Chicago – Sebastian Hidalgo

At such a young age, Hidalgo already has a big portfolio of photos and experiences. And he has some good advice for aspiring photojournalists.

“Believe in your ability to create meaningful photographs and invest yourself and your time to get closer to your story. As a photojournalist, you have an amazing tool to create change on all levels, small or big–believe in that and never settle for less. Always push on, even when life gets in the way, balance yourself and push harder,” says Hidalgo.

A man holds a white cross on Michigan Ave., Dec. 31, 2016, during a vigil march victims of gun violence. -Sebastian Hidalgo

recognizes groundbreaking work by a journalist or a team that uses investigative journalism in the role of being a community’s watchdog. NAHJ is partnering with the Gannett Foundation to honor the best in investigative journalism. The winner of this award will receive a $5,000 prize, courtesy of the Gannett Foundation.

recognizes excellencein coverage of civil rights of Latino Americans and/or issues of social justice for Latinos. Elaine Rivera, was a former NAHJ board member and working journalist with a commitment to social justice.